Ambulance cot loading and unloading device

ABSTRACT

An ambulance cot loading and unloading device which utilizes an elongate guide track configured for mounting to a floor surface of a cargo area on the ambulance. A trolley is supported for movement relative to the guide track and has an elongate boom. The ambulance cot has a powered collapsible and extendable base and a patient support deck mounted on the base. A connection mechanism is provided on the trolley and the ambulance cot which is configured to interconnect and securely hold the ambulance cot on the trolley.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an ambulance cot loading and unloading deviceand methodology, as well as an ambulance cot support arrangement,especially suitable for ambulances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Emergency medical service (EMS) personnel are required to handle thecombined weight of a patient and the ambulance cot during various stagesof insertion of the ambulance cot into the cargo area of an ambulance.In some instances, the head end of the ambulance cot needs to be liftedby a first EMS attendant for insertion into the cargo area so that thehead end wheels become supported on the floor surface of the cargo areaas the base construction for the ambulance cot is collapsed therebynecessitating a second EMS attendant to lift the combined weight of theambulance cot and patient at the foot end of the ambulance cot duringthe completion of an insertion of the ambulance cot into the cargo area.The same requirement exists when the ambulance cot with a patientthereon is removed from the cargo area. In some instances, there existsa risk of back injury to the EMS personnel as a result of this liftingand insertion as well as removal methodology. In addition, there is arisk of injury to the patient on the ambulance cot when an EMS attendantis injured and is no longer able to support the ambulance cot and thepatient thereon when the ambulance cot is spaced above the ground duringinsertion or removal thereof from the cargo area. Accordingly, it isadvantageous to provide an ambulance cot loading and unloading device aswell as methodology for accomplishing same as well as providing anambulance cot support arrangement in the ambulance which will minimizethe likelihood of injury to the patient during transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing anambulance cot loading and unloading device which utilizes an elongateguide track configured for mounting to a floor surface of a cargo areaon the ambulance. A trolley is supported on the elongate guide track formovement relative to the guide track. The trolley is configured toextend to a location outside of the cargo area when the trolley is in afirst position and additionally configured to be housed entirely insidethe cargo area when the trolley is not in the first position. Theambulance cot has a collapsible and extendable base and a patientsupport deck mounted on the base. A connection mechanism is provided onthe trolley and the ambulance cot which is configured to interconnectand securely hold the ambulance cot on the trolley.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to personsacquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading thefollowing specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the interior of a cargo area of anambulance with an ambulance cot loading and unloading device embodyingthe invention being incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the ambulance cot loadingand unloading device shifted from a stowed position in the interior ofthe cargo area as shown in FIG. 1 to a deployed position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the ambulance cot loadingand unloading device removed;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side illustration of the ambulance cot loading andunloading device in a deployed position thereof;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the ambulance cot loading andunloading device in a stowed and locked position inside the cargo areaof the ambulance;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side illustration similar to FIG. 5, but in anunlocked condition;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the encircled area identified inbroken lines in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7 and illustrating a locking pin in alocked position;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 8, but with the locking pin shifted to theunlocked position;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the ambulance cot loading and unloadingdevice in the stowed position;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a fragment of the ambulance cot loadingand unloading device with the trolley and elongate boom thereon locatedin the deployed position;

FIG. 12 is a fragment of the interior-most end of the ambulance cotloading and unloading device;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side illustration of the ambulance cot loadingand unloading device;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of the encircled area of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is like FIG. 14, but with a locking device shifted to the lockedposition;

FIG. 16 is a view like FIG. 15, but with the locking device shifted tothe unlocked position;

FIG. 17 is a schematic side illustration of the trolley and elongateboom;

FIG. 18 is a side illustration of an ambulance cot embodying theinvention;

FIG. 19 is a top illustration of a head end of the ambulance cot;

FIG. 20 is a enlarged detail of an operative link between the ambulancecot and the trolley;

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of the start of an ambulance cotloading sequence;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but with the trolley and elongateboom thereon moved to the deployed position ready to accept theambulance cot thereon;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22, but with the ambulance cot engagedwith the trolley;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23, but with the ambulance cotsupported entirely on the trolley and associated elongate boom;

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24, but with the ambulance cot baseshifted to a position ready for insertion into the cargo area of theambulance;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25, but with the ambulance cot andtrolley moved partially into the cargo area of the ambulance;

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 26, but with the trolley and theambulance cot inserted fully into the interior of the cargo area of theambulance;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged isometric of one end of the elongate guide trackand the associated structure at the foot end of the ambulance cot;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged side view of the operatively engaged elongatetrack and foot end of the ambulance cot;

FIG. 30 is a side view illustrating the starting of an unloadingsequence;

FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30, but with the ambulance cot havingpartially exited the cargo area;

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31, but with the base portion of theambulance cot oriented above the ground surface;

FIG. 33 is a view similar to FIG. 32, but with the base of the ambulancecot partially extended;

FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33, but with the base of the ambulancecot fully extended so that the wheels thereof are supported on theground surface; and

FIG. 35 is a view similar to FIG. 34, but with the ambulance cotseparated from the ambulance cot loading and unloading mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 are both an isometric view of an ambulance cot loading andunloading device 10 embodying the invention and oriented on the floorsurface 11 of a cargo area 12 of an ambulance 13. FIG. 2 illustrates theambulance cot loading and unloading device in a deployed positionwherein a distal end 14 of an elongate boom 16 extends to a locationoutside of the cargo area 12. Inside a conventional cargo area 12 thereis provided a plurality of floor mounted plates 17 (FIG. 3). Theseplates are provided almost in a standard array in every cargo area of anambulance so that the inventive ambulance cot loading and unloadingdevice 10 can interface therewith.

More specifically, the ambulance cot loading and unloading device 10includes an elongate guide track 15 consisting of a pair of elongate andparallel guide tubes 18 and 19 having a plurality of mounting platesinterconnecting the guide tubes at multiple locations along the lengthsthereof. The mounting plates 21 are spaced apart at an interval equal tothe spacing between the floor plates 17 illustrated in FIG. 3 so thatthe mounting plates 21 can be utilized to secure the guide tubes 18 and19 to the floor 11.

The ambulance cot loading and unloading device 10 includes a trolley 22that is movable along the length of the guide tubes 18 and 19. Thetrolley includes a pair of tubular sleeves 23 and 24 respectivelytelescoped over the guide tubes 18 and 19 and a plate 26 (FIG. 12)interconnecting the sleeves 23 and 24 together. A locking bar 27 is alsoconnected to and extends between the sleeves 23 and 24 as is alsoillustrated in FIG. 12. The trolley 22 also has a pair of upstandingbearing blocks 28 and 29 provided on the sleeves 23 and 24,respectively.

The rightmost mounting plate 21 in FIG. 1 includes a plate 31 having anelectrical connector 32 centrally mounted thereon, the electricalconnector 32 being connected to an electrical system onboard theambulance at a location beneath the floor plate 17. An electricalconnector 33 is centrally provided on the locking bar 27 and isconfigured to mate with the electrical connector 32 when the trolley 22reaches a location at the rightmost end of the guide tubes 18 and 19.

The elongate boom 16 is pivotally secured at one end to the bearingblocks 28 and 29 by any convenient structure providing an axle therefor.The axle has been generally indicated by the reference numeral 34. Theelongate boom includes at the end thereof adjacent the axle 34 anupstanding hook-like configuration 36 wherein the opening into thehook-like configuration opens in a direction toward the distal end 14 ofthe elongate boom 16. Within the interior 37 of the hook-likeconfiguration 36 there is provided two sets of toggle locking members 38and 39, also shown in FIG. 17. Each of the set of toggle levers 38 and39 are pivotally mounted on the elongate boom 16 and are configured tomove in a manner suggested by FIGS. 14, 15 and 16. Each of the togglelevers 38 and 39 includes a torsion spring (not shown) urging the togglelevers 38 and 39 to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 17. When anobject is moved into the interior 37 of the hook-like configuration 36,as will be explained in more detail below, each of the toggle levers 38and 39 will rotate counterclockwise so that the long legs 41 thereofwill move to an upstanding position against the urging of the torsionspring. A latch 42 will move into a notch 43 provided on each togglelever 38 and 39 to hold the long leg 41 in an upstanding position toblock the exit of the object. A first manually engageable handle 44 isconnected to the latch 42 by means of an elongate linkage 46 tofacilitate a movement of the latch so that it is removable from thenotch 43 to enable the torsion spring to return each of the togglelevers 38 and 39 to the position illustrated in FIG. 17. A secondmanually engageable handle 45 is linked by a linkage member 50 (FIG. 17)to the elongate linkage 46 to provide a second location from which tofacilitate a movement of the latch 42 so that it is removed from thenotch 43 to enable the torsion spring to return each of the togglelevers 38 and 39 to the position illustrated in FIG. 17.

Adjacent the distal end 14 of the elongate boom 16 there is provided adepression 47 in which there is provided a set of electrical contacts48. The electrical contacts 48 are electrically connected to theelectrical contact 33 described above. The functionality of the set ofelectrical contacts 48 will be described in more detail below.

The elongate boom 16 is pivotal about the axle 34. An electrical jackmechanism 49 is connected to and extends between the plate 26 and theunderside of the elongate boom 16. The electrical jack mechanism 49 isextendable and contractible to effect a pivotal movement of the elongateboom in a manner that will be readily understood by those skilled in theart. A toggle switch 51 is mounted adjacent the distal end 14 and, uponmanipulation, effects an extension or contraction of the jack mechanism49 through the electrical connection provided between the switch 51 anda drive motor for the jack mechanism 49. If desired, an optional heightsensor 52 (FIG. 11) can be provided on the elongate boom 16 adjacent thedistal end 14 so as to provide an indication of the distance between theunderside of the elongate boom 16 and the ground surface.

A lug 53 is provided on the underside of the elongate boom 16 and isconfigured to be received into a receptacle 54 provided on the elongateguide track 15 defined by the guide tubes 18 and 19. It is desirable toorient the receptacle 54 on a mounting plate 21 so that upon receptionof a lug 53 therein when the elongate boom 16 is lowered to the FIG. 4position, the trolley 22 will be incapable of movement relative to theelongate guide tubes 18 and 19. Upon a raising of the elongate boom 16to the position illustrated in FIG. 17, the lug 53 will be removed fromthe receptacle 54 to facilitate manual displacement of the trolley 22along the length of the guide tubes 23 and 24.

In this particular embodiment, there is no drive mechanism for poweringthe trolley 22 along the length of the guide tubes 18 and 19. However,it is conceivable that such a drive mechanism could be provided and suchis to be included within the scope of this invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, there is provided a centrally disposedelectrical connector 56 on a mounting plate 57 oriented at an end of theguide track 15 remote from the electrical connector 32. The electricalconnector 56 is connected to the onboard electrical system of theambulance. When the trolley 22 is in the position illustrated in FIG.10, there is no electrical power being supplied to it. As a result,operation of the toggle switch 51 will not effect an operation of thejack mechanism 49. On the other hand, when the trolley 22 is movedleftwardly, there is provided an electrical connector 60 (FIG. 12) onthe trolley 22 which engages the electrical connector 56 so thatelectrical energy is supplied to the toggle switch 51 to effect areverse in polarity of the drive motor for the jack mechanism 49 and toeffect a corresponding raising and lowering of the elongate boom 16 onlywhen the elongate boom is in the deployed position illustrated in FIGS.2 and 11.

When the trolley 22 is in the FIG. 10 position, it is normally locked tothe elongate guide track 15 defined by the guide tubes 18 and 19. Alocking mechanism 58 therefor is depicted in detail in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8and 9. The locking mechanism 58 includes a pin 59 (FIG. 8) which issupported for vertical movement. The pin includes a roller 61 rotatablysecured to the bottom end of the pin 59. A plate 62 having a notch 63therein is secured to the elongate guide track, such as to one of themounting plates 21 so that the pin 59 can be moved vertically into andout of the notch 63. When the pin 59 is received in the notch 63 asdepicted in FIG. 8, the trolley 22 will be incapable of movement due tothe interconnection of the pin 59 on the trolley to the guide track.

An object detector 66 is oriented in the interior 37 of the hook-likeconfiguration 36 on the elongate boom 16. When an object is present inthe interior 37, the object detector 36 will be articulated downwardlyas depicted in FIG. 6. A linkage mechanism 67 is provided to effect alifting of the pin 61 out of the notch 63 when the object detector 66 ismoved to the FIG. 6 position. On the other hand, when the trolley 22 isoriented intermediate the ends of the elongate guide track defined bythe guide tubes 18 and 19, namely, is in the position illustrated inFIG. 10, and no object is present in the interior 37 of the hook-likeconfiguration 36, the pin will effect a locking of the trolley 22 inposition so that the vehicle can be in motion without there being anycorresponding inadvertent movement of the trolley relative to theelongate guide track 15.

When it is desired to move the trolley 22 leftwardly from the FIG. 1position to the FIG. 2 position, the operator will grasp a handleconfiguration 68 to enable the elongate boom 16 to be easily grasped andpulled in a direction leftwardly in FIG. 2 to draw the trolley 22 to theFIG. 2 position. However, and before the trolley can be so moved, aremoval of the locking pin 59 from the notch 63 is required. This isaccomplished by manipulating a handle 69 oriented at the left end of theguide tube 16 as illustrated in FIG. 10. The handle 69 is connected toan elongate rod 71 that extends through the interior of the guide tube19 as depicted in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The elongate rod 71 spring centeredand is connected to a cam having an inclined cam surface 73 thereonfacing the roller 61. Thus, as the handle 69 is pulled leftwardly, theelongate rod 71 will be pulled leftwardly against a spring urging tobring the cam surface 73 into engagement with the roller 61 to cause theroller 61 to roll up the ramp-like inclination 73 to draw the pin 59from the notch 63.

An ambulance cot 80 (FIG. 18) is configured to operatively load andunload from the ambulance cot loading and unloading device 10 describedabove. The particular construction of the ambulance cot 80 is disclosedin detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,700 and the subject matter thereof isincorporated herein by reference. The ambulance cot 80 described in theaforesaid patent has been modified at both the head end 81 and the footend 82 and as described below. More specifically, the head end 81 hasbeen modified to include a roller 83 rotatably mounted on an axis ofrotation that extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of theambulance cot 80. At the foot end 82, the auxiliary handle described inthe aforementioned patent has been reconfigured as a foot end lift bar84 (FIGS. 28 and 29) and additional hand grips 86 have been operativelyconnected to the foot end 82 of the ambulance cot 80 to facilitateattendant handling of the ambulance cot.

The ambulance cot 80 has been further modified to include a midsectionconnection piece 87 having a set of electrical contacts 88 thereonconfigured to interconnect with the set of electrical contacts 48 on theelongate boom 16. The connection 87 is also configured to snugly nestinto the depression 87 in which the electrical contacts 48 is provided.

The ambulance cot 80 has been further modified to include a handle 91interconnected by a linkage (not shown) to an abutment 92 orientedadjacent the connection 87. The abutment 92 is configured to engage thehandle 44 on the elongate boom in response to manual manipulation of thehandle 91. In this particular embodiment, the handle 91 is reciprocallysupported in an elongate slot 93 provided at the foot end 82 of theambulance cot 80 so that upon reciprocation of the handle 91 in the slot93, the abutment 92 will also reciprocate to effect movement of thehandle 44.

Adjacent the handle 86 at the foot end 82 of the cot 80 there isprovided a three position toggle switch 94. Just forward of the foot end82 there is provided a housing 96 in which is housed an electric motor97 (FIG. 18) and a rechargeable battery pack 98 for supplying power tothe motor in a manner controlled by the aforementioned toggle switch 94.The battery pack 98 is configured to be easily exchanged without thenecessity of tools and could be one or more batteries. The motor 97could be a conventional DC drive motor for rotatably driving an inputshaft of a hydraulic pump configured to be connected in fluid circuitwith a hydraulic cylinder, the extendible and retractable rod of whichis connected to the movable cross member on the cot 80 to facilitate apowered raising and lowering of the cot base 99. The battery 98 iscapable of being charged when electrical power is supplied to theelectrical contacts 88. In addition, the three position toggle switch 94is capable of controlling the battery energy to the jack mechanism 49 toeffect the raising and lowering movements of the elongate boom 16 onlywhen the electrical contacts 48 and 88 are engaged as will be describedin more detail below. The collapsible and extendable base 99 structureis virtually the same as the base described in the aforementioned patentand, therefore, further detailed discussion thereof is believedunnecessary.

Turning now to FIG. 21, when it is desired to load the ambulance cot 80into the cargo area 12 of an ambulance 13, it is necessary for theambulance cot loading and unloading device 10 to be deployed so that thedistal end 14 of the elongate boom 16 extends rearwardly from the cargoarea and is lowered as depicted in FIG. 22. The aforesaid operation isaccomplished by an attendant pulling the handle 69 in a rearwarddirection to cause the handle to impart a rearward movement of theelongate rod 71 as well as the cam 72 (FIGS. 8 and 9) to cause theinclined surface 73 on the cam 72 to engage the roller 61 to impart anupward lifting movement of the pin 59 from the notch 63. This operationunlocks the trolley 22 from the elongate guide track. Thereafter, theattendant can grasp the handle 68 at the distal end 14 of the elongateboom 16 to impart a rearward movement to the trolley 22 so that itshifts its location from the position illustrated in FIG. 21 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 22. In the position illustrated in FIG. 22,the electrical contact 60 on the trolley 22 (FIG. 12) will interconnectwith the electrical connector 56 so that electrical power from theambulance 13 will be supplied to the toggle switch 51 to enableoperative control to be provided to the electric motor for the jackmechanism 49 so as to facilitate an extension or retraction of the jackmechanism 49 to thereby effect a raising or a lowering of the elongateboom 16 relative to the trolley 22. Since, as depicted in FIG. 22, it isdesired to load the ambulance cot 80 into the cargo area 12 of theambulance 13, the toggle switch 51 will effect a lowering of theelongate boom 16 to a location wherein the lug 53 enters the receptacle54 on the elongate guide track to effectively lock and hold the trolley22 in place while the ambulance cot 80 is being loaded.

Next, the ambulance cot 80 is moved by the attendant and on its wheelsupported base 99 until the roller at the head end of the ambulance cotengages the inclined upper surface of the elongate boom 16 and rollsinto the interior 37 of the hook-like configuration 36. At this point intime, the lead support wheel 101 moves into engagement and rests on thefloor surface 11 of the cargo area 12 of the ambulance 13 as depicted inFIG. 23. As the roller 83 enters the interior 37 of the hook-likeconfiguration 36, the sets of toggle levers 38 and 39 will be movedclockwise from the position illustrated in FIG. 17 to a position whereinthe long legs 41 (FIG. 17) become upright to effect a holding of theroller 83 into the interior space 37 of the hook-like configuration 36.The latch 42 will be received in a notch 43 to hold the toggle levers 39in the locked position whereat the long leg 41 extends in a verticallyupright manner. At this point in time, the ambulance cot 80 is nowlocked at the head end 81 thereof to the ambulance cot loading andunloading device 10. In addition, the roller 83 has depressed the objectdetector 66 inside the interior 37 of the hook-like configuration toeffect a raising through the linkage 67 of the locking pin 61. Thetoggle lever switch 94 is next operated to change its state from a“neutral” state (FIG. 18) to a “retract base” state to effect a batterypowered operation of the motor 97 to effect a contracting of the base 99as depicted in FIG. 24. Since the spacing between the hook-likeconfiguration 36 and the depression 47 on the elongate boom 16 is equalto the spacing between the roller 83 and the connection piece 87 on thecot 80 as the base 99 retracts, the ambulance cot 80 will initially belowered about a pivot axis defined by the roller 83 received in thehook-like configuration 36 until the connection piece 87 is received inthe depression 47 in the elongate boom 16 so that the sets of contacts88 and 48 come into contact with each other. At this moment, the“retract base” state of the toggle switch 94 usurps the toggle switch 51so that the toggle switch 94 in the “retract base” position effects anextension of the jack mechanism 49 and thence a raising of the elongateboom 16 from the FIG. 24 position to the FIG. 25 position. The toggleswitch 94 remains in the “retract base” condition until the base 99 isfully collapsed and all six wheels on the ambulance cot 80 are alignedwith the floor 11 in the cargo area 12 of the ambulance 13. Thereafter,the attendant can simply push on the foot end 82 of the ambulance cot 80to facilitate movement of the ambulance cot 80 and the interconnectedtrolley 22 through the position illustrated in FIG. 26 to the positionillustrated in FIG. 27. During this transitional movement, theelectrical contacts 56 and 60 become disconnected and when the trolley22 reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 27, the electrical contacts32 and 33 will interconnect so that the battery 98 onboard the ambulancecot 80 will be recharged by the electrical system onboard the ambulance13 and through the electrical connection provided by the interconnectedset of contacts 48 and 88. As the trolley 22 moves toward its finallocation illustrated in FIG. 27, the locking bar 27 (FIG. 12) will beoperatively received in a trolley locking mechanism 102. The trolleylocking mechanism 102 consists of a pair of laterally spaced hook-likeconfigurations 103 which each include an interior space 104 facilitatingreception of the locking bar 27 on the trolley 22. A toggle lever 106 isassociated with each hook-like configuration 103 and rotate against theurging of a not illustrated torsion spring so that the horizontal legillustrated in FIG. 12 will be shifted to a vertically upright positionto hold the locking bar 27 in place. The change in state of the togglelevers 106 is illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16.

A foot end ambulance cot locking system 107 is connected to the elongateguide track 18, 19 (FIG. 10) and is identical in form to the trolleylocking mechanism 102. That is, each of the foot end ambulance cotlocking mechanism 107 includes a pair of laterally spaced hook-likeconfigurations 103 and a rotatable toggle lever 106 urged by a torsionspring to the position illustrated in FIG. 10. Thus, as the cot liftingbar 84 (FIG. 28) is moved rightwardly, the lifting bar 84 will effect apivotal movement of the set of toggle levers 106 in the mannerillustrated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16. A latch mechanism 108 operativelyengaging the toggle levers 106 at all four locations will effect alocking of the toggle levers 106 in the elevated position illustrated inFIG. 15 in manner similar to the operative arrangement between the latch42 and the set of toggle levers 38 and 39 described above. The ambulancecot 80 is now secured inside the cargo area 12 of the ambulance 13 atfour spaced locations defined by the spaced hook-like configurations 103illustrated in FIG. 10. In addition, the head end 81 of the ambulancecot 80 is secured to the trolley 22 by the hook-like configuration 36and associated sets of toggle levers 38 and 39.

Referring now to FIG. 30, when it is desired to remove the ambulance cot80 from the cargo area 12 of the ambulance 13, the handle 69 is pushedforwardly against the force of the not illustrated centering spring asdepicted in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 to cause the elongate rod 71 to unlatchthe latches 108 to cause the torsion springs to move the toggle levers106 from the FIG. 15 position to the FIGS. 14 and 16 positions tothereby release the lift bar 84 and the locking bar 27 therefrom.Thereafter, the attendant can pull on the lift bar 84 or the handles 86at the foot end 82 of the ambulance cot 80 to effect a movement of notonly the ambulance cot 80 but also the trolley 22 from the positionillustrated in FIG. 30 through the position illustrated in FIG. 31 tothe position illustrated in FIG. 32. In this position, the set ofcontacts 56 and 60 reengage so that battery power from the battery 98onboard the ambulance cot is interconnected to the toggle switch 94onboard the ambulance cot to thereby enable the attendant to manipulatethe switch to the “extend base” position to operatively simultaneouslycause the jack mechanism 49 to be operated to retract and lower theelongate boom 16 from the position illustrated in FIG. 32 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 33 and an extension of the base 99 from itsfully retracted position illustrated in FIG. 32 and as depicted in FIG.33. Even though the elongate boom 16 has reached its lowermost positionas depicted in FIG. 33, the attendant's continued operation of thetoggle switch 94 by holding it in its “extend base” state, the base 99will continue to extend until all four wheels are in engagement with theground as illustrated in FIG. 34 and the connection piece 87 is raisedout of the depression 47 in the elongate boom 16 to decouple theelectrical contacts 48 and 88. At this point in the ambulance cot 80removal sequence, the wheels 101 at the head end 81 of the ambulance cot80 are still in engagement with the floor 11 of the cargo area 12 of theambulance 13 and as depicted in FIG. 34. Thereafter, the handle 91 atthe foot end 82 of the ambulance cot 80 is slid forwardly in theelongate slot 93 so that the abutment 92 interconnected therewith willabut the handle 44 on the elongate boom 44 to effect an unlatching ofthe set of toggle levers 38, 39 to release the roller 83 from thehook-like configuration 36 on the trolley 22. In the alternative, thehandle 45 can be manually manipulated to free the ambulance cot 80 fromthe trolley 22.

The ambulance cot 80 is now freed from the ambulance cot loading andunloading device 10 and is capable of moving freely away from theambulance on the wheel supported base 99 as depicted in FIG. 35.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognizedthat variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, includingthe rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, all or selected ones of the electrical contactscould be replaced with electrical devices, such as proximity typeswitches or radio frequency activated devices where actual contactbetween components is not required in order to effect the desiredelectrical communication. Additionally, during loading, the boom and cotcan be lifted before the base is collapsed. Similarly, during unloading,the base can be fully deployed before the boom is lowered.

1. A combination of an ambulance cot having a wheel supported base andan ambulance cot loading and unloading device, especially forambulances, comprising: an elongate guide track configured for mountingto a fixed surface of a cargo area on said ambulance; a trolleysupported for movement relative to said elongate guide track betweenfirst and second positions, said trolley being configured to move to alocation adjacent an access opening to an interior of the cargo areawhen said trolley is in said first position and is additionallyconfigured to move to a location spaced from said access opening whensaid trolley is not in said first position; a connection mechanism onsaid trolley configured to interconnect and securely hold said ambulancecot on said trolley; an energy consumer on said trolley for effecting,while said ambulance cot is coupled by said connection mechanism to saidtrolley, a cantilevered support of said ambulance cot externally awayfrom said access opening such that the wheel supported base on saidambulance cot is spaced directly above a ground surface unobstructed byother structure, said energy consumer being configured to maintain saidcantilevered suspension during at least one of a vertical movement ofthe wheel supported base on said ambulance cot to operatively align thewheels of said wheel supported base thereof with a floor surface of saidcargo area prior to a loading of said ambulance cot into said cargo areaand a vertical movement of the wheel supported base on said ambulancecot after an unloading of said ambulance cot from said cargo area tofacilitate engagement of the wheels of said wheel supported base with aground surface; and a first device on said ambulance cot configured toactivate said energy consumer when said connection mechanism isinterconnected to and securely holds said ambulance cot on said trolley.2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said energy consumer onsaid trolley includes an elongate boom secured to said trolley andconfigured to extend to a location outside of the cargo area, saidelongate boom being configured for vertical movement relative to saidtrolley in order to accommodate varying ambulance cot loading andunloading conditions; and wherein said energy consumer includes a motorfor effecting, when said motor is operated, said vertical movement ofsaid elongate boom.
 3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein amanually manipulatable first switch is provided on said elongate boomand is interconnected between an energy source onboard said ambulanceand said energy consumer for facilitating an attendant controlledreversal in the energy of said energy source supplied to said motor toeffect movement of said elongate boom in attendant selected verticaldirections.
 4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein saidmanually manipulatable first switch is provided on said elongate boomadjacent a distal end thereof.
 5. The combination according to claim 4,wherein said manually manipulatable first switch provided on saidelongate boom is configured to be usurped by the functionality of saidfirst device on said ambulance cot.
 6. The combination according toclaim 5, wherein said first device is provided on said ambulance cotadjacent a foot end thereof, a head end of said ambulance cot beingconfigured to operatively couple to said connection mechanism.
 7. Thecombination according to claim 3, wherein said ambulance cot includes acollapsible and an extendable base and a patient support deck mounted onsaid base and an electrically operable motor and interconnected batteryonboard said ambulance cot for effecting, when said motor iselectrically operated, a collapsing or an extending of said base.
 8. Thecombination according to claim 7, wherein said trolley includes a seconddevice connected in circuit with said first switch; and wherein saidambulance cot includes a third device configured to communicate withsaid second device when said ambulance cot is securely held on saidtrolley and only when said base is collapsed from an extended positionthereof.
 9. The combination according to claim 8, wherein said firstdevice on said ambulance cot includes a manually manipulatable secondswitch interconnected between said battery and said electrical motor forfacilitating an attendant controlled reversal in polarity of theelectrical energy supplied to said electrical motor to effect acollapsing or an extending of said base of said ambulance cot andindependent of the electrical communication between said second andthird devices.
 10. The combination according to claim 7, wherein saidtrolley includes an elongate boom configured for vertical movementrelative to said trolley in response to activation of said energyconsumer, said ambulance cot includes a second device and said trolleyincludes a third device, said second and third devices being configuredto communicate when said ambulance cot is securely held on said trolleyand only when said base is collapsed from an extended position thereof;and wherein said first device on said ambulance cot is a manuallymanipulatable second switch configured to usurp the functionality ofsaid manually manipulatable first switch when said third devicecommunicates with said second device so that the attendant will be ableto control the reversal in the energy supplied to said energy consumerto effect movement of said elongate boom in attendant selected verticaldirections by manual manipulation of said manually manipulatable secondelectrical switch.
 11. The combination according to claim 10, whereinsaid manually manipulatable second switch is provided on said ambulancecot adjacent a foot end thereof, a head end of said ambulance cot beingconfigured to operatively couple to said elongate boom and said firstambulance cot fastening assembly.
 12. The combination according to claim10, wherein said elongate guide track includes a fourth device adjacentan end of said elongate guide track corresponding to said first positionof said trolley thereon, said fourth device being connected to an energysource onboard said ambulance, said trolley including a fifth deviceconfigured to communicate with said fourth device only when said trolleyis oriented at said end of said elongate guide track so that saidelongate boom can be moved vertically only when said trolley is orientedat said end.
 13. The combination according to claim 1, wherein saidtrolley includes an elongate boom secured to said trolley and configuredto extend to a location outside of the cargo area when said trolley isin said first position, said elongate boom being configured for verticalmovement relative to said trolley in order to accommodate varyingambulance cot loading and unloading conditions; and wherein said trolleyis freely movable lengthwise of said elongate guide track when saidelongate boom is elevated, said trolley being fixedly locked to saidelongate guide track in response to said elongate boom being placed intoa lowered position.
 14. The combination according to claim 1, whereinsaid trolley is configured for free movement lengthwise of said elongateguide track.
 15. The combination according to claim 1, wherein saidelongate guide track includes a second device connected in circuit to anenergy source onboard said ambulance, said second device beingconfigured to communicate with a third device separate from saidelongate guide track.
 16. The combination according to claim 15, whereinsaid third device is provided on said trolley.
 17. The combinationaccording to claim 16, wherein said second device is oriented adjacentan end of said elongate guide track corresponding to said secondposition of said trolley thereon so that said second device willcommunicate with said third device when said trolley is in said secondposition thereon.
 18. The combination according to claim 17, whereinsaid ambulance cot includes a fourth device connected in circuit withsaid battery; and wherein said fourth device is configured tocommunicate with said third device when said ambulance cot is securelyheld on said trolley to facilitate a recharging of said batteryutilizing energy supplied by said energy source onboard said ambulance.19. An ambulance cot support arrangement, especially for ambulances,comprising: an elongate guide track configured for mounting to a fixedsurface of a cargo area on said ambulance; a trolley supported formovement relative to said elongate guide track between first and secondpositions, said trolley being configured to move to a location adjacentan access opening to an interior of the cargo area when said trolley isin said first position and is additionally configured to additionallymove to a location spaced from said access opening when said trolley isnot in said first position, said trolley being additionally configuredto effect a cantilevered support of said ambulance cot externally awayfrom said access opening such that the wheel supported base on saidambulance cot is spaced directly above a ground surface unobstructed byother structure; and an ambulance cot fastening assembly mounted on saidtrolley and configured to releasably securely hold an ambulance cotthereon in all positions of said trolley on said elongate guide track.20. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 19, whereinsaid trolley includes an elongate boom secured to said trolley andconfigured to extend to a location outside of the cargo area when saidtrolley is in said first position, said elongate boom being configuredfor vertical movement relative to said trolley in order to accommodatevarying ambulance cot loading and unloading conditions.
 21. Theambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 20, wherein saidelongate boom is secured to said trolley for movement about a pivot axisthat extends perpendicular to a theoretical vertically upright planecontaining a longitudinal axis of said elongate guide track.
 22. Theambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 19, wherein saidelongate guide track includes a first device connected in circuit to anenergy source onboard said ambulance, said first device being configuredto electrically communicate with a second device separate from saidelongate guide track.
 23. The ambulance cot support arrangementaccording to claim 22, wherein said second device is provided on saidtrolley.
 24. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim23, wherein said first device is oriented adjacent an end of saidelongate guide track corresponding to said second position of saidtrolley thereon so that said second device will communicate with saidfirst device when said trolley is in said second position thereon. 25.The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 19, whereinsaid trolley includes an elongate boom secured to said trolley andconfigured to extend to a location outside of the cargo area when saidtrolley is in said first position, said elongate boom being configuredfor vertical movement relative to said trolley in order to accommodatevarying ambulance cot loading and unloading conditions; and wherein saidtrolley includes an onboard motor for effecting, when said motor isoperated, said vertical movement of said elongate boom; and wherein amanually manipulatable first switch is interconnected between said motorand an energy source onboard said ambulance for facilitating anattendant controlled reversal in energy supplied to said motor to effectmovement of said elongate boom in attendant selected verticaldirections.
 26. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim25, wherein said manually manipulatable first switch is provided on saidelongate boom adjacent a distal end thereof.
 27. The ambulance cotsupport arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said elongate guidetrack includes a first device adjacent an end of said elongate guidetrack corresponding to said first position of said trolley thereon, saidfirst device being connected to an energy source onboard said ambulance,said trolley including a second device configured to communicate withsaid first device only when said trolley is oriented at said end of saidelongate guide track so that said elongate boom can be moved verticallyonly when said trolley is oriented at said end.
 28. The ambulance cotsupport arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said trolley includesan elongate boom secured to said trolley and configured to extend to alocation outside of the cargo area when said trolley is in said firstposition, said elongate boom being configured for vertical movementrelative to said trolley in order to accommodate varying ambulance cotloading and unloading conditions; and wherein said trolley is freelymovable lengthwise of said elongate guide track when said elongate boomis elevated, said trolley being fixedly locked to said elongate guidetrack in response to said elongate boom being placed into a loweredposition.
 29. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim19, wherein said ambulance cot fastening assembly includes a secondambulance cot fastening assembly configured with a trolley fasteningassembly and said trolley is also additionally configured for areleasable coupling to said trolley fastening assembly only when saidtrolley is in said second position.
 30. The ambulance cot supportarrangement according to claim 29, wherein said trolley includes a firsthorizontal bar that extends along an axis that is perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of said elongate guide track; and wherein said trolleyfastening assembly includes a first pair of laterally spaced hookmembers configured to latch onto said first horizontal bar at laterallyspaced locations thereon.
 31. The ambulance cot support arrangementaccording to claim 30, wherein said second ambulance cot fasteningassembly is additionally provided on said elongate guide track at alocation adjacent a position corresponding to said first position ofsaid trolley, said second ambulance cot fastening assembly including asecond pair of laterally spaced hook members.
 32. The ambulance cotsupport arrangement according to claim 31, wherein a manuallymanipulatable release lever is provided on said elongate guide trackadjacent a location corresponding to said trolley being in said firstposition for effecting a simultaneous unlatch of said first and secondpairs of said hook members.
 33. The ambulance cot support arrangementaccording to claim 19, wherein said ambulance cot fastening assemblyincludes a second ambulance cot fastening assembly provided on saidelongate guide track at a location adjacent a position corresponding tosaid first position of said trolley, said second ambulance cot fasteningassembly including a first pair of laterally spaced hook members. 34.The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 19, whereinsaid trolley includes an elongate boom and a trolley position lockingdevice for locking said trolley to said elongate guide track at alocation intermediate said first and second positions of said trolley onsaid elongate guide track whereat a distal end of said elongate boom isoriented adjacent an end of said elongate guide track corresponding tosaid first position of said trolley.
 35. The ambulance cot supportarrangement according to claim 34, wherein a handle is provided on saiddistal end of said elongate boom.
 36. The ambulance cot supportarrangement according to claim 35, wherein a manually manipulatablerelease lever is provided on said elongate guide track adjacent alocation corresponding to said trolley being in said first position andis configured to effect an unlocking of said trolley from said elongateguide track when said trolley is in said intermediate location.
 37. Theambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 19, wherein saidtrolley includes an ambulance cot detector configured for detecting apresence or absence of an ambulance cot held to said trolley by saidambulance cot fastening assembly, said ambulance cot detector beingadditionally configured to prevent a locking of said trolley to saidelongate guide track by said trolley position locking device.
 38. Theambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 19, wherein saidtrolley includes an elongate boom secured to said trolley for verticalmovement relative to said trolley in order to accommodate varyingambulance cot loading and unloading conditions; and wherein saidelongate boom includes a sensing device for monitoring the distance ofsaid elongate boom from a ground surface on which said ambulance issupported in all vertically adjusted positions of said elongate boom.39. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 19, whereinsaid trolley is freely manually movable lengthwise of said elongateguide track between said first and second positions thereof.
 40. Anambulance cot support arrangement, especially for ambulances,comprising: an elongate guide track configured for mounting to a fixedsurface of a cargo area on said ambulance; a trolley supported formovement relative to said elongate guide track between first and secondpositions, said trolley being configured to move to a location adjacentan access opening to an interior of the cargo area when said trolley isin said first position and is additionally configured to additionallymove to a location spaced from said access opening when said trolley isnot in said first position, said trolley being additionally configuredto effect a cantilevered support of said ambulance cot externally awayfrom said access opening such that the wheel supported base on saidambulance cot is spaced directly above a ground surface unobstructed byother structure; and an ambulance cot fastening assembly configured tosecurely hold said trolley and said ambulance cot relative to a fixedsurface of the cargo area only when said trolley is in said secondposition.
 41. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim40, wherein said trolley includes an elongate boom secured to saidtrolley for vertical movement relative to said trolley in order toaccommodate varying ambulance cot loading and unloading conditions. 42.The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 41, whereinsaid elongate boom is secured to said trolley for movement about a pivotaxis that extends perpendicular to a theoretical vertically uprightplane containing a longitudinal axis of said elongate guide track. 43.The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 40, whereinsaid elongate guide track includes a first device connected in circuitto an energy source onboard said ambulance, said first device beingconfigured to communicate with a second device separate from saidelongate guide track.
 44. The ambulance cot support arrangementaccording to claim 43, wherein said second device is provided on saidtrolley.
 45. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim44, wherein said first device is oriented adjacent an end of saidelongate guide track corresponding to said second position of saidtrolley thereon so that said second device will communicate with saidfirst device when said trolley is in said second position thereon. 46.The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 40, whereinsaid ambulance cot fastening assembly is additionally configured with atrolley fastening assembly and said trolley is also additionallyconfigured for a releasable coupling to said trolley fastening assemblyonly when said trolley is in said second position.
 47. The ambulance cotsupport arrangement according to claim 46, wherein said trolley includesa first horizontal bar that extends along an axis that is perpendiculara longitudinal axis of said elongate guide track; and wherein saidtrolley fastening assembly includes a first pair of laterally spacedhook members configured to latch onto said first horizontal bar atlaterally spaced locations thereon.
 48. The ambulance cot supportarrangement according to claim 47, wherein said ambulance cot fasteningassembly is provided on said elongate guide track at a location adjacenta position corresponding to said first position of said trolley andincludes a second pair of laterally spaced hook members.
 49. Theambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 48, wherein amanually manipulatable release lever is provided on said elongate guidetrack adjacent a location corresponding to said trolley being in saidfirst position for effecting a simultaneous unlatch of said first andsecond pairs of said hook members.
 50. The ambulance cot supportarrangement according to claim 40, wherein said ambulance cot fasteningassembly is provided on said elongate guide track at a location adjacenta position corresponding to said first position of said trolley, saidambulance cot fastening assembly including a first pair of laterallyspaced hook members.
 51. The ambulance cot support arrangement accordingto claim 40, wherein said trolley includes an elongate boom and atrolley position locking device for locking said trolley to saidelongate guide track at a location intermediate said first and secondpositions of said trolley on said elongate guide track whereat a distalend of said elongate boom is oriented adjacent an end of said elongateguide track corresponding to said first position of said trolley. 52.The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 51, wherein ahandle is provided on said distal end of said elongate boom.
 53. Theambulance cot support arrangement according to claim 40, wherein saidtrolley includes an elongate boom secured to said trolley and configuredto extend to a location outside of the cargo area when said trolley isin said first position, said elongate boom being configured for verticalmovement relative to said trolley in order to accommodate varyingambulance cot loading and unloading conditions; and wherein said trolleyincludes an onboard motor for effecting, when said motor is operated,said vertical movement of said elongate boom; and wherein a manuallymanipulatable first switch is interconnected between said motor and anenergy source onboard said ambulance for facilitating an attendantcontrolled reversal in energy supplied to said electrical motor toeffect movement of said elongate boom in attendant selected verticaldirections.
 54. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim53, wherein said manually manipulatable first switch is provided on saidelongate boom adjacent a distal end thereof.
 55. The ambulance cotsupport arrangement according to claim 54, wherein said elongate guidetrack includes a first device adjacent an end of said elongate guidetrack corresponding to said first position of said trolley thereon, saidfirst device being connected to an energy source onboard said ambulance,said trolley including a second device configured to communicate withsaid first device only when said trolley is oriented at said end of saidelongate guide track so that said elongate boom can be moved verticallyonly when said trolley is oriented at said end.
 56. The ambulance cotsupport arrangement according to claim 40, wherein said trolley includesan elongate boom secured to said trolley and configured to extend to alocation outside of the cargo area when said trolley is in said firstposition, said elongate boom being configured for vertical movementrelative to said trolley in order to accommodate varying ambulance cotloading and unloading conditions; and wherein said trolley is freelymovable lengthwise of said elongate guide track when said elongate boomis elevated, said trolley being fixedly locked to said elongate guidetrack in response to said elongate boom being placed into a loweredposition.
 57. The ambulance cot support arrangement according to claim56, wherein a manually manipulatable release lever is provided on saidelongate guide track adjacent a location corresponding to said trolleybeing in said first position and is configured to effect an unlocking ofsaid trolley from said elongate guide track when said trolley is in saidintermediate location.
 58. The ambulance cot support arrangementaccording to claim 40, wherein said trolley includes an elongate boomsecured to said trolley and configured to extend to a location outsideof the cargo area when said trolley is in said first position, saidelongate boom being configured for vertical movement relative to saidtrolley in order to accommodate varying ambulance cot loading andunloading conditions; and wherein said elongate boom includes a sensingdevice for monitoring the distance of said elongate boom from a groundsurface on which said ambulance is supported in all vertically adjustedpositions of said elongate boom.
 59. The ambulance cot supportarrangement according to claim 40, wherein said trolley is freelymanually movable lengthwise of said elongate guide track between saidfirst and second positions thereof.
 60. A method of loading a wheelsupported ambulance cot having a collapsible and extendable base thereonfrom an ambulance, comprising the steps of: deploying a trolley to aload position; moving said ambulance cot toward and into coupledengagement with said trolley, said trolley being additionally configuredto effect a cantilevered support of said ambulance cot externally awayfrom said access opening such that the wheel supported base on saidambulance cot is spaced directly above a ground surface unobstructed byother structure; collapsing said base to effect said ambulance cot beingsupported entirely on said trolley; and moving said trolley andambulance cot coupled thereto into said cargo area of said ambulance.61. The method according to claim 60, wherein said deploying stepincludes the step of deploying said trolley to a position spacedvertically above a ground surface on which said ambulance is supportedand the step of tilting an elongate boom on said trolley from a positionparallel to the floor surface of said cargo area downwardly toward theground surface.
 62. The method according to claim 61, wherein saidcollapsing step additionally includes the step of raising the elongateboom to the position above the floor surface of said cargo area and withsaid ambulance cot coupled thereto.
 63. The method according to claim62, wherein said raising step and said base collapsing step occursimultaneously after said wheels disengage from the ground surface. 64.A method of unloading a wheel supported ambulance cot having acollapsible and extendable base thereon, comprising the steps of: movingan ambulance cot with a collapsed base coupled to a trolley out of acargo area of said ambulance so that said ambulance cot is cantileveredexternally away from said access opening such that the collapsible andextendable base on said ambulance cot is spaced directly above a groundsurface unobstructed by other structure cantilevered externally awayfrom said access opening so that said wheels engage said ground surfaceand effect a support of said ambulance cot on said wheels; and movingsaid ambulance cot on said wheels in a direction until said ambulancecot is generally free of interference from said trolley.
 65. The methodof unloading a wheel supported ambulance cot according to claim 64,wherein said extending step includes the step of tilting an elongateboom on said trolley from a position above the floor surface of saidcargo area downwardly toward the ground surface.
 66. The method ofunloading a wheel supported ambulance cot according to claim 65, whereinsaid extending step and said tilting step occur simultaneously during anextension of said base, said tilting step terminating when said wheelsengage said ground surface.
 67. An ambulance cot configured forreception into a cargo area of an ambulance through an access opening,comprising: a wheel supported base; a patient support deck mounted onsaid wheel supported base; an energy consumer mechanism for effecting avarying of the spacing between said wheel supported base and saidpatient support deck; a docking structure onboard said ambulance cotconfigured for connection to a cot loading and unloading device providedon the ambulance; a rechargeable first energy source onboard saidambulance cot configured for supplying energy to said energy consumermechanism to effect a change in said spacing, a remotely located firstconnection device onboard the ambulance cot configured for connectingthe energy of said rechargeable first energy source to a second energysource to effect a recharging of said first energy source, said cotloading and unloading device including a second connection deviceconnected to said second energy source and being configured tooperatively connect to said first connection device in response to saidambulance cot being docked with said cot loading and unloading device toeffect said connection of said rechargeable first energy source to saidsecond energy source.
 68. The ambulance cot according to claim 67,wherein said rechargeable first energy source is a battery and saidenergy consumer mechanism is an electrically operable motor.
 69. Theambulance cot according to claim 67, wherein said rechargeable firstenergy source includes a switch interconnected between said rechargeablefirst energy source and said energy consumer mechanism for facilitatingan attendant controlled operation of energy supplied to said energyconsumer mechanism to effect a change of said spacing.
 70. The ambulancecot according to claim 69, wherein said rechargeable first energy sourceis a battery and said energy consumer mechanism is an electricallyoperable motor.
 71. The ambulance cot according to claim 67, whereinsaid remotely located connection device is fixedly located on at leastone of said patient support deck and said wheel supported base.
 72. Anambulance cot configured for reception into a cargo area of an ambulancethrough an access opening, comprising: a wheel supported base; a patientsupport deck frame mounted on said wheel supported base; and a dockingstructure onboard said ambulance cot configured for connection to a cotloading and unloading device provided on an ambulance, said dockingstructure being configured to effect, when said ambulance is connectedto said cot loading and unloading device, a cantilevered support of saidambulance cot externally away from said access opening such that thewheel supported base on said ambulance cot is spaced directly above aground surface unobstructed by other structure.
 73. The ambulance cotaccording to claim 72, wherein said docking structure includes at leasttwo separate docking structures spaced lengthwise of the ambulance cotfrom each other.
 74. The ambulance cot according to claim 73, whereinone of said two docking structures is located adjacent a head end of theambulance cot and the other docking structure is located intermediatethe head end and a foot end thereof.
 75. The ambulance cot according toclaim 74, wherein said two separate docking structures are oriented onsaid patient support deck frame.
 76. The ambulance cot according toclaim 67, wherein said docking structure is configured to effect, whensaid ambulance is connected to said cot loading and unloading device, acantilevered support of said ambulance cot externally away from saidaccess opening such that the wheel supported base on said ambulance cotis spaced directly above a ground surface unobstructed by otherstructure.